North by Northwest Spring 2015 Park Avenue Management Volume 72 Spring Launch
Local Services
   Spring launch is scheduled for by Monday, May 11
Saturday, May 2nd starting at access code for the BERGMANN MARINE 7:30 a.m. with a meeting of all clubhouse has changed. 231‐547‐3957 th
. The participants in the clubhouse bergmannmarine.com and finishing Sunday, May 3RD.
All Boats in the upper BOAT WORKS OF CHX parking lot must be removed 231‐547‐2287 boatworkschx.com DRY HARBOR We’re on the Web! See us at:
http://www.nwmyccom 231‐547‐0040 dryharbourmarine.com GRAND BAY MARINE 231‐237‐5000 grandbaymarine.com http://nwmyc.tumblr.com Like us on Facebook.com
IRISH BOAT SHOP 231‐547‐9967 2015 Annual Spring Fling
irishboatshop.com Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 23rd for the annual Spring Fling. All owners, seasonal tenants, transient renters, and FBW JOE’S PROFESSIONAL owners and guests are invited to attend. Everyone should bring a SERVICES dish to pass. Email Eric if you would be interested in hosting this 231‐675‐5396 event. Hosts are responsible for theme, decorations, set up and clean up. This is a great event and the perfect chance to meet your slip mates. We’ll send you a reminder with more information as the date gets closer. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! KANTOLA MARINE 231‐547‐1986 MOBILE MARINE 231‐536‐2872 SUNBURST MARINE, INC. 231‐582‐5239 sunburstmarine.com WARD BROTHERS 231‐547‐2371 NNW 2
Your Annual Reminders
Parking at Northwest Marine and Foster Boat Works is very limited. Please use common courtesy and park in the North upper parking lot while cruising. If you have more than one vehicle or a large SUV or Truck please park in the North‐upper lot. All transient dock rentals are to park in the North upper or lower lot. Please be courteous of our neighbors and do not park directly in front of the condos. The 57 spaces in front of the Condos are reserved for Condo owners only during the month of July (this is in accordance with the Master Deed of both Associations). Out of courtesy to our sprinklers do not park on the lawn. The spaces at the South end near the bike rack are for loading and unloading only. I would like to remind everyone that the dumpsters are for garbage generated on your boat or at FBW, not from your home, condo, or cottage. We have over 60 local home‐owners and if everyone brought down their household waste we would not be able to accommodate it. Also, it is against local, state, and federal law to leave hazardous waste and materials in or around any dumpster (oil, antifreeze, batteries, paint, etc.). If you are caught you will be reported to the authorities and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Please remember that the swimming pool and bathhouse are designated non‐smoking areas. Due to the close proximity of boats in slips we ask everyone to use common courtesy when smoking so that your neighbors are not affected by smoke. Vessels in a 30 FT. slip may not extend more than 3 FT. past the end of the finger pier. Vessels in a 40 FT. slip may not extend more than 4 FT. past the end of the finger pier. Vessels in 55 FT. and 70 FT. slips may not extend past the outer pilings of their respective slips. Vessels in slips 92, 149, 194, and 195 may not extend more than 10 FT past the end of their respective slips. Owners and vessels that presently exceed this rule and do not present a hazard to navigation must come into compliance when a new vessel is purchased. Any new slip owner=s vessel must be in compliance . Slip owners are responsible for the compliance of their lessees or the slip owner will be fined $200.00 per calendar month or any portion thereof until lessee becomes compliant. Dock Clutter With the summer boating season about to begin, now is the time to take a good look at the attachments that we have added to our slips. Are they uniform with everyone else’s, in good repair, not unsightly, and approved by the Board of Directors. Some of you have broken batter boards, some have broken ladder steps. These dock additions are the slip owner’s responsibility to maintain. Please fix or remove any broken or unsightly items. NNW 3
Charlevoix
the Beautiful
Since 1859, this and the five were tourists who came by bridges that came before have the droves to enjoy pretty been raised more than 550,000 much the same exact scene By Kim Schneider of Lake Land
Boating
times, according to Dave greeting us in the idyllic Miles of the Charlevoix harbor. Nicknamed the “Queen of Northern Resort Country,” this charming Michigan town lives up to its moniker, offering visiting boaters an abundance of delightful views, culinary treats and good, old‐
fashioned history. Historical Society, as vessels As the drawbridge lifts and we motor between Lake Michigan and Charlevoix’s Round Lake, the only thing missing is the blare of a trumpet or two. Like visiting royalty is the best way we can describe how we’re feeling, as spectators smile or shout “Hello!” from nearby benches and balconies lining the Pine River channel. We respond from the deck with our best renditions of a float‐queen wave. It’s probably just the unseasonable sunshine and the crowd appeal of our vessel — the 114‐foot Traverse City‐
based tall ship Manitou — that lends the sense of being honored guests to this vacation kingdom as we pass through the grand opening. The entry itself isn’t all that exclusive, nor are we the first to discover this one‐time vacation playground in the early 1900s dubbed “Queen of the Northern Resort Country.” from around the world came calling. Many more have glided through, from simple early canoes to some of the biggest passenger boats to ply the inland lakes. There actually was a self‐
proclaimed king in Charlevoix’s history, though with no relation to the drawbridge. His legacy was focused mostly on nearby Beaver Island, on “King” James Jesse Strang’s Mormon “kingdom,” but there was a gun battle between Strang’s followers and Charlevoix fisherman on the town’s Lake Michigan Beach. There were pirates in the day, too, which newspaper articles linked to the said “king,” and there also was a still‐remaining castle — this one related to a king of American industry, a former vice president for the Sears Roebuck Co., who built the French Normandy‐style complex of boulders as a way to showcase Sears farm implements. (Castle Farms is now available for weddings, teas and tours.) There also FUN FACT: The Ironton Ferry, a steel vessel built in 1927, takes four cars on the short, 650‐foot crossing of Charlevoix’s south arm and is modern by Ironton standards. A scow, pulled by hand and later by horses, once hauled sheep, horses, buggies and more across. Former Captain Sam Alexander is listed inRipley’s Believe it or Not for traveling 15,000 miles while never being more than a quarter‐mile from home! Scenic, culinary and shopping delights Tree‐lined bluffs add to the secret discovery feel, and colorful spinnakers a touch of whimsy to elegant mansions dating to the turn of the last century. Here, we also note the Christmas morning sense that we haven’t felt at other harbor stops on our trip, a palpable excitement to open the travel gifts that await. Resort amenities that have continually evolved since the town’s earliest tourist Mecca days and now include weekly outdoor concerts, movies, lively art and food fests. Charlevoix City Marina is located in the heart of downtown Charlevoix, just steps from all the town has to offer. There are 60 transient slips, which fill up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation. On lively Bridge Street, the main thoroughfare conveniently bordering the marina, we sample the prized culinary treats of Michigan’s north in shops dedicated to fudge (Celeste Murdick’s Fudge and Candy Kitchen), cherries (Cherry Republic, with its 175 different products all made from cherries), and farm‐grown and foraged fruits made into upscale canned goods (American Spoon Foods). There are high‐
end delis and fine dining, too, at spots like elegant new Quay, with views hard to beat from the third floor, open‐air bar and the Bridge Street Bistro, where you want to grab a window seat overlooking the channel and order the decadent lobster butter burger. Visit North Seas Gallery and Antiques for unexpected‐on‐
this‐continent paintings by Dutch masters and a collection of bronze statues that pay homage to laborers, or venture a few miles south of town to Beir Art Gallery and Pottery Studio to see the combined works of some 100 areas artists and the pottery of the Bier family, often found working in their open studio on pieces inspired by local woods and lakes. An avid boater — who doubles as a local attorney — launched visit‐worthy Round Lake Books; check out the staff recommendation shelf and store dogs like Cody, a Newfoundland and longtime boat dog often sprawled in the middle of the aisle. Whether your Northern Michigan vacation plans are for a night, a week or the entire summer, Charlevoix Rental Company offers waterfront and in‐town homes, cottages and condos in Charlevoix for your next vacation rental. Pointes North Inn offers one‐ and two‐
bedroom suites within walking distance to downtown. Nestled on the north shore of Round Lake harbor and the Pine River channel near the bridge you will find the Edgewater Inn. This waterfront condominium hotel offers stunning views of the harbor in the heart of downtown Charlevoix. On the southwest corner of Round Lake, you’ll find Ward Brothers Boats, founded by NNW 4
Bernie Ward Sr. and Archie Ward in 1934. They opened what was referred to as a “fishing shack.” This family‐
owned business has grown into a full‐service marina with another generation of Ward brothers at the helm. In addition to all the regular amenities, they offer fuel, boat rentals, fishing charters and boat rides. Two other established Charlevoix businesses, Bergmann Marine and Irish Boat Shop, offer boat sales, service and storage if needed while in town. Only a short walk from downtown Charlevoix, Northwest Marine Yacht Club is perfect for a summer stay or a day or two stop to enjoy the area. Loaded with amenities and a terrific staff, this marina is a popular stop‐over for those heading up or down the coast. Beautiful then and now The town takes some good‐
natured ribbing for the way its signs read “Charlevoix the Beautiful,” evidenced by the way someone penned “the adorable” to the welcome sign of nearby village Atwood. But the descriptor was officially combined with the name back in 1882. The adjective was used far earlier, by namesake Father Pierre‐Francois‐Xavier de Charlevoix, a French Jesuit missionary and explorer who was passing by in search of a Northwest passage to the Pacific when he, in a journal entry, wrote of the town: “Were we to sail then as I did, with a serene sky, in a most charming climate, and in water as clear as that of the purest fountain… breathe at our ease the purest air... we might possibly be tempted to travel to the end of our days.” Charlevoix didn’t know at the time how many people the pure air and North Woods serenity would later draw, or that industries like logging and fishing would put the town on the map. By 1908, Miles said, Charlevoix boasted the largest fish exporting port on the Great Lakes, and what was called “finny gold” seemed an inexhaustible resource. Tourism was hot as early as 1881, though, when an editorial in the Charlevoix Sentinel proclaimed: “You lift your eye and the broad Lake Michigan stretches away beyond the islands and fro it comes a refreshing breeze, cooling your heated flesh and driving away your headache with a magic akin to that of mesmerism.” The town thrived through Prohibition. The converted lumber barge Keuka was a popular speakeasy until a murder on board made it an investigation target and the owner sunk it to avoid prosecution, according to historian Chris Struble, who serves as president of the Michigan Hemingway Society. Hemingway noted Charlevoix in his writings and got his marriage certificate in town; the signed original copy is on display in the Harsha House Museum, though Struble claims that both Hemingway and bride Hadley Richardson lied about their ages on the form. Tours From Fairy Land They seem to have sprung, hobbit‐style, from Middle Earth, so it’s no surprise that Charlevoix’s Earl Young houses attract the curious, sometimes by the one or two, sometimes by the busload. One of Charlevoix’s first architects, Young moved to town in 1900 when it was a rutted dirt road bordered by wood plank sidewalks and gas lanterns. A young boy then, he explored the lakeshores, fields and woods of the north and became inspired by both nature and the many boulders he found — and started collecting. He later enrolled at the University of Michigan’s School of Architecture, then dropped out to apprentice to a stone mason. And stone, particularly boulders of many shapes and colors, characterize the some 30 houses he built between 1918 and the early 1950s, as does NNW 5 his clear sense of whimsy. Many of Young’s still‐
standing designs were part of an early luxury resort community overlooking Lake Michigan, the aptly named Boulder Park. Others are a short stroll from the marina, just past the Harsha House Museum. The museum also offers free maps to the self‐
guided tour of Young’s designs, easily identifiable by wavy roofs that seem to fly; the Cotswold‐style designs like one that originally sported a thatched roof imported from England; and even his “Half House,” seemingly designed for hobbits or fairies. FUN FACTS: Charlevoix has been named one of “America’s Prettiest Towns” byForbes magazine, the second “Best Yachting Town in the World” by Yachtingmagazine, and the “Best Area for a Vacation Home” by Detroit Home magazine. Lake Charlevoix Connected to Round Lake is Lake Charlevoix, the third largest lake in the state, with 56 miles of shoreline. Young State Park is located on the shore of the lake just northwest of Boyne City. The Ironton Ferry at Ironton, in operation since 1876 and a designated Michigan Historical Site, crosses the south arm. It’s here that you’ll find The Landing Restaurant returning this summer after undergoing an extensive transformation. A favorite for generations, enjoy waterside dining, tasty food and live music. Located at the south end of Lake Charlevoix is Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club, the perfect home base while you spend time exploring Lake Charleviox from Boyne City to East Jordan to Charlevoix and everywhere in between. Everyday is a perfect day on the water, even if you never leave the dock! To experience a simple alternative to boat ownership without any of the hassle, check out the Freedom Boat Club of Lake Charlevoix at Sommerset Pointe. Enjoy the relaxation and exhiliration of the boating lifestyle with none of the headaches. You choose your time, your boat and they take care of the rest. Take out a pontoon for fishing in the morning, a speedboat for wakeboarding in the afternoon, and a pontoon again for an evening cruise. The possibilities are endless. [Note: Look for a feature story on Freedom Boat Club in our April 2015 issue.] Fun for everyone Modern‐day tourism pursuits often come with a historic twist. Tee off at the Belvedere Club, and you’ll be playing one of Michigan’s oldest courses, dating back to 1925 when members of the Charlevoix Summer Resort Association decided their social club needed a golf course and called on a local Scotsman and course architect. After you’ve worked up an appetite, walk through the well‐weathered door at John Cross Fisheries and catch the multi‐generational fishing rhythm as you order whitefish or walleye straight from the boat or the famed Three Fish Dip from a third generation owner like John Cross III. History is framed on the walls of the Bridge Street Tap Room, in the form of photos of historic lighthouses and city drawbridges and story‐
worthy boats. Michigan is exclusively represented in the 32 taps of microbrews, cider, wine and root beer. Adam Engelman, a Tap Room partner and area boater, says the restaurant and pub’s focus is the region — and the stunning floor‐to‐ceiling views of the region’s biggest visitor draw: The water. “Here you have big water and inland water, with different wind patterns on each of the lakes,” he says. “There are restaurants and beaches, and if you want to check out the sunset, you go under the drawbridge, out past the NNW 6 lighthouse into Lake Michigan, for a beautiful unobscured view. In Charlevoix, you have the best of a lot of worlds.” I Pledge
As Northwest Marine is a Certified Clean Marina we are recognized as an exemplary environmental steward. Please help us continue to keep our Michigan Clean Marina Pledge at the forefront of our operation as we work together to promote and celebrate voluntary adoption of best management practices to prevent and reduce pollution from marinas and the recreational boating community. SUMMER 2015 - WHAT'S HAPPENING?
May 02-03 NW Marine Launch
May 21 Operation Petunia
May 23 NW Marine Spring Fling: Bring a Dish to Pass
May 25 Memorial Day Parade
June 12-14 Charlevoix Trout Tournement Fish Charlevoix
June 20 NW Marine Annual Meeting of Co-owners 9:00 a.m.
June 27-28 16th Annual Summer Solstice Art Show
July 11-12 47th Annual Charlevoix Art & Craft Show
July 11 Chicago Yacht Club to Mackinac Race
July 17-18 Street Legends Classic Car Show
July 18 Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron to Mackingc Race
July 18 Aquapalooza 2013 by Sea Ray & Irish Boat Shop 12;30 - 6 pm.
July 18-25 Charlevoix Venetian Festival
July 24-26 Fiber Arts Festival at Castle Farms
Aug. 08 Annual Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair
Aug. 13-15 Charlevoix Sidewalk Sales
Sept. 04 Nucore Triangle Race
Sept 05-06 Red Fox Regatta
Sept. 7 Labor Day